Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:Late start and minor technical difficulties could not hinder the performances of the robustly talented acts on the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Talent Stage on Thursday night as they set the precedence for those who performed Friday and Saturday.

Rising stars Tari and Tarshea showed that they belonged on the main stage as they registered powerful performances in each of their sets, enthralling the audience from start to finish.

Riding on the success of his hit single Karma featuring Konshens, Tari displayed great showmanship with his high-energy performance and gained some new fans in the process. The Jamaica-born entertainer, who now lives in Florida, introduced his R&B style and Jazz and Blues patrons loved it.

Starting off his set with One Dance, Tari was not afraid to get up close with a female patron and engage her in a slow dance as he did the song, teasing the audience which did not leave until he completed his 15-minute set.

He went on to sing Just For One Night and Dying before closing with Karma.

"I am pleased with the response from the audience, I just love music and performing, so it was easy to perform to a sold-out crowd in front of thousands of fans. This was a great experience and I hoped the audience appreciated it as much as I loved performing for them," Tari said after his performance.

Good Message

Gospel-reggae artiste Tarshea offered good messages and insight during her set.

She was the first act to grace the Talent Stage at 10 p.m. and opened with a powerful delivery of Children that drew scores of patrons to the area.

She immediately connected with the audience who were hungry for some action on the talent stage, and her powerful vocals over infectious reggae rhythms was a great appetiser to what many sought.

As a mother, Tarshea has used her talent to channel positive messages in her music and songs like Mama, Stronger Now and Family Man that registered well with patrons, many of whom met and congratulated her after her performance.

Up-and-coming act Abbey Gaye held her own as she did several renditions to the delight of patrons.